Friday, April 27, 2018

Journey to the Petroglyphs: Rock Art in Pennsylvania’s Lower Susquehanna River Valley

A previous
blog identified the Lower Susquehanna River as containing one of the
largest concentrations of prehistoric petroglyphs, or rock carvings, in the
Northeast. Out of the multitude of these sites which were once accessible in the
area, only a small handful remain intact. Although several publications discuss
the images found on these petroglyphs, fewer accounts convey the beauty and
natural wonder of their surroundings.

The golden hour on the Susquehanna. In the background,
you can see people standing on Little Indian Rock, the most well-known of the
petroglyph sites in the Lower Susquehanna.

Despite the looming presence of
Safe Harbor Dam and the alarms which signal dam releases at frequent intervals,
the water just down river remains relatively calm. It is important to remember
that the river landscape of today is drastically different from what existed
before the construction of several hydroelectric dams along the river. This
section of the Susquehanna was once described by Donald Cadzow as having
numerous rapids only navigable by canoe, quite
a difference from the glassy waters that are found here today. From the
confluence of the Conestoga and Susquehanna Rivers, a paddler can make their
way past numerous rocky outcrops (some containing petroglyphs) and islands
blanketed with thick vegetation. It’s not difficult to imagine why this was a place
of significance to the prehistoric people who visited and lived here for
thousands of years. Wildlife, resources, and natural beauty abound.

The petroglyph sites in this area
of the Susquehanna were first documented in 1863 by professor T. C. Porter of
the Linnaean Society of Lancaster County. Since then there has been periodic
interest in the sites, which for many years were thought to have been lost
behind Safe Harbor Dam. Unlike the abstract glyphs documented on Walnut
Island, now submerged behind Safe Harbor Dam, those found on Little
Indian Rock are more naturalistic and represent identifiable animals such
as birds, humans, snakes, and quadrupeds.

A composite photograph showing numerous glyphs on the northern face of Little Indian Rock at sunrise.

At first glance, it is apparent
that Little Indian Rock has numerous carvings on its surface, but it isn’t
until closely examining the site under optimal light that the sheer number of
glyphs on this rock become apparent. No doubt that an immense amount of time
was spent creating them. Although no definitive age has been established for
the creation of these sites, they are thought to have been made no more
recently than around 500 years ago but are possibly much older. It is agreed
upon that they are of Algonkian origin as they bear similarities to other
petroglyph sites and motifs of the expansive culture group that once inhabited
this area.

Big Indian Rock at sunrise.

The other prominent petroglyph
site in the Lower Susquehanna, Big Indian Rock, exists just downstream of
Little Indian Rock. This location contains numerous, but less distinct glyphs and
more widely spaced images than Little Indian Rock. Many of the glyphs on Big
Indian Rock are nearly impossible to see without ideal lighting. This site is unique,
not only for the motifs which adorn it, but also for its prominence in the
river. It is the tallest and largest of the rocky outcrops in this section of
the Susquehanna. From atop Big Indian Rock, individuals experience a
breathtaking vista that stretches for miles.

The modification of these
petroglyph sites extends beyond their most prominent petroglyph panels. Understandably,
maps have failed to capture the full scope of the ways in which humans have
modified these sites. The preservation of these sites has largely been
attributed to their remote location in the three-quarters of a mile-wide
Susquehanna River. As with any significant historic or prehistoric site,
vandalism is always a concern. When visiting petroglyph sites care should be
taken to avoid impact. With proper respect and conservation, these awe-inspiring
sites will exist long into the future.

- Do not touch the petroglyphs, even
small amounts of oils from your hands can darken and destroy the carved images

- Photograph and sketch the images but
avoid taking rubbings which can hasten the deterioration of the petroglyphs.
The best time of day for viewing petroglyphs is early morning or evening, when
the Sun is low on the horizon.

- Do not introduce any foreign
substance to the rock surface such as paint or chalk, these actions can damage
the image.

- Do not repeck, recarve or deface the
images in any way, these actions destroy the original image. Many rock art
sites have been destroyed by the addition of historic graffiti.

Thank you for visiting our blog,
we encourage everyone to learn about the archaeological resources in your
community. We ask you to join us in ensuring that our archaeological heritage
is preserved by supporting public programs and preservation laws so that we can
protect the past for future generations.

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One Tank Trip

WFMZ-TV 69 from Reading, Pennsylvania visited The State Museum of Pennsylvania on February 8th, 2017. Karin Mallett prepared a feature piece on great places to visit that are one tank of gas from Reading and our gallery was the focus of this visit. Karin interviewed Kurt Carr, Senior Curator and Janet Johnson in the gallery and provide a nice overview of the spectacular exhibits. Please click on the link below and enjoy this glimpse of the museum during this One Tank Trip!
One Tank Trip: Hall of Anthropology and Archaeology

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